Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet wins Golden Globe for best drama

“Hamnet” won the Golden Globe for best motion picture, drama, a victory that the Times said could improve the film’s chances heading into the Oscars in March.

The film was directed by Chloé Zhao, who co-wrote the screenplay with Maggie O’Farrell, adapting O’Farrell’s prizewinning novel. Jessie Buckley won the Globe for best actress in a motion picture, drama for her portrayal of Agnes, William Shakespeare’s grieving wife; Paul Mescal was nominated for best supporting actor. The story is a fictionalized account of the death of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet, with Agnes depicted as a “witchy woman” whose spirit is decimated by the loss.

“Hamnet” beat out “Frankenstein,” “It Was Just an Accident,” “The Secret Agent,” “Sentimental Value” and “Sinners” in the drama category. The Times noted that because the Golden Globes split best picture into drama and musical or comedy, competition at the Globes did not include films like “One Battle After Another.”

Accepting the award, Zhao quoted Paul Mescal, saying, “Making ‘Hamnet’ made him realize that the most important thing of being an artist is learning to be vulnerable enough to allow ourselves to be seen for who we are.” The Times observed that while “One Battle After Another” remained the Oscar front-runner, the Globe win suggested “Hamnet” could still put up a fight in the season ahead.

Key Topics

Culture, Hamnet, Chloé Zhao, Maggie O'farrell, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal